Monday, 15 October 2007 00:00
In the midst of an effort by the Bush administration to host a Middle East peace conference next month, the role of American Christians in Middle East peace has come to the forefront. Representatives of Christians United for Israel and similar groups have appeared on Christian radio stations equating Iran's president with Hitler and accusing all Palestinians of terrorism. Former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson warned on 21 September in the Washington Post of a disturbing trend of anti-Semitism. Other evangelical Christians meanwhile have been featured in the New York Times encouraging the Bush Administration's push for a two-state solution, and arguing for fairness in dealing with Palestinians. What are those Christians who know little about the Middle East to think about these matters? The Bible provides much theological justification for supporting Israel, but we must explore the theological implications behind supporting Israel and working for justice within the region.
Theologically, God calls us to do justice to the oppressed. American Christians should steward their citizenship to accomplish God's purposes and apply biblical truths to the Middle East peace process, as our country is uniquely positioned to accomplish justice and peace.
The theological starting point must be justice. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly warned the Israelites in vivid language to act justly and to defend the oppressed. Through the prophet Isaiah, God commanded the Israelites to "seek justice" and "encourage the oppressed."1 The prophet Micah similarly summed up God's commands by saying, "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."2 Unfortunately, these warnings went unheeded and the Israelites suffered the consequences. Israel was defeated in battle, its people driven into exile and the temple destroyed. Only after a generation of captivity in Babylon did a remnant return to re-build. The biblical consequences of acting unjustly are clear.
Injustice usually results from an unequal distribution of power. The powerful take advantage of the powerless. As the most powerful nation on earth and an ally of Israel, the United States must accept its share of responsibility for peace and justice in the Middle East.
Congress just approved the 2008 U.S. military budget at over $632 billion.3 American men, women, and equipment are deployed in 135 out of 192 countries in the world or 70% of all nations. The combined defense budgets of the next six biggest military spenders (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, China and Russia) in 2007 totaled $319 billion, just over half of the 2008 U.S. military budget.4 Israel also shares in this money and power. U.S. military aid to Israel in 2007 totaled $2.4 billion, with an increase of 25% as of July 2007.5 Israel is also the only nuclear power in the Middle East region.
This enormous military advantage helps protect the United States against terrorism and other threats. How are Christians to reconcile this military might with God's commands for justice? American Christians have a responsibility — reflected at the ballot box — to encourage our government to wield its overwhelming political and military power with justice.
I contend that in the Arab-Israeli conflict, we American Christians are falling short. All of the major peace initiatives between Israel and its Arab neighbors have been brokered by the United States. The relationship between the two countries is clearly a close one, and the United States is invested in a peaceful Middle East.
Christians, for our part, are more connected to the conflict because of our shared religious roots with Judaism — a fact that naturally makes us sympathetic to the Israeli point of view. The Biblical stories of ancient Israel's struggles against its neighbors are all too reminiscent of modern Israel's struggles. God even declares in the Book of Genesis that he will bless those that bless Abraham and curse those that curse him.6
While our sympathy for Israel is theologically and geo-politically justified, Christians must not forget God's strict obligation to seek justice. When terrorists from Palestine indiscriminately launch rockets or detonate suicide bombs targeting innocent Israelis, Christians must condemn these acts of injustice. However, American Christians are often silent when tactics by Israeli defense forces result in the deaths of innocent Palestinians.
Since September 2000 when the peace process broke down, over 4,200 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis. In the same period over 1,000 Israelis were killed by Palestinians. The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights reports that about half of the casualties on both sides were civilians, people not engaged in hostilities. Over 800 of the Palestinian deaths were minors, while just over 100 Israeli deaths were minors.7
American Christians cannot be indifferent to such injustices, especially at a time when major decisions are being made about the future of peace in the region. The power and influence of the United States is as undeniable as the obligation to "speak for those who cannot speak for themselves."8 We must encourage our government to use its power and influence to promote justice. Alongside our sympathy and support for Israel, we must encourage our Israeli friends to do justice to their neighbors, and work for peace. We need to work for compromise in the region and practical solutions that promote peace and justice. If we do not, then we are guilty of the same sin God charged Israel with prior to its defeat and exile, and justly deserving of the same punishment.
"Administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done — burn with no one to quench it."
Jeremiah 21:12
